Air passenger traffic in Asia continues to rise
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October air traffic figures are out this week and there is a consensus among airline associations that passenger traffic is up again. According to the latest data from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), carriers in the Asia Pacific region transported 159 lakh passengers in October. This marked an 11.8% increase compared to the same period last year, with demand particularly strong on Asian regional routes. This is 1.7 percentage points above the global average increase in passenger air traffic for the month, which the International Air Transport Association (IATA) puts at 10.2%. However, IATA’s estimates on passenger growth in the Asia Pacific of 7.3% were far more modest than those issued by AAPA, and suggest that growth among the Asia Pacific airlines has actually slowed compared to earlier in the year. Irrespective of the discrepancy, both organisations agree that air passenger traffic is up on last year as demand hits pre-crisis levels and normal patterns of growth return.
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO said; “Passenger demand is 5% above pre-crisis levels of early 2008, while freight is 1% above. Where we go from here is dependent on developments in the global economy. The picture going forward is anything but clear, but for the time being, the recovery seems to be strengthening.”
In an unrelated statement on regional results, AAPA Director General, Andrew Herdman, said; “The dynamic economies of Asia are powering ahead and so are its airlines. Passengers are back in numbers, and the return of premium class passengers and air freight is particularly welcome. The improving mix of business, coupled with disciplined capacity management, has seen Asian airlines leading the industry in returning to profitability.”
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